Ford Explorer 2006–2010 problems by year and mileage
4th generation · U251
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,134 complaints, 980 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2006 Ford Explorer
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 630
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2006
- Transmission and driveline296 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system164 reports · median 46,000 mi
- Engine58 reports · median 81,000 mi
Recall areas Visibility — windshield wiper/washer
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Ford Explorer
Close- Median failure report
- 67,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 208
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2007
- Transmission and driveline57 reports · median 69,000 mi
- Engine28 reports
- Electrical system25 reports
Recall areas Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Ford Explorer
Close- Median failure report
- 77,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 148
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system38 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline36 reports · median 84,000 mi
- Seats27 reports
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Ford Explorer
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 33
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2009
- Problems owners could not categorise5 reports
- Throttle and speed control5 reports
- Engine4 reports
The 2010 Ford Explorer
Close- Median failure report
- 41,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 115
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2010
- Transmission and driveline28 reports
- Seats20 reports
- Engine14 reports
Recall areas Seats — front assembly
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2008; earliest: the 2010, and the 2008 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2006–2010 Ford Explorer reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 61,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 126,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 980
- Recalls
- 4
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline37.0% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system16.0% of complaints · median 46,000 mi
- Engine11.0% of complaints · median 82,000 mi
Owners filed 1,134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2010 Ford Explorer; the transmission and driveline leads with 37% of them, and half of the 980 that record an odometer reading came by 61,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 35,000 to 90,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2006–2010 Ford Explorer last?
On the 2006–2010 Ford Explorer, half of the 980 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 61,000 miles and 90% by 126,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
47 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 7 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Explorer reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Ford Explorer 2006–2010 · 980 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 110 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 7 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 35,000
- Median
- 61,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 126,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 94 | 9.6% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 66 | 6.7% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 45 | 4.6% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 73 | 7.4% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 104 | 10.6% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 80 | 8.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 110 | 11.2% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 81 | 8.3% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 81 | 8.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 50 | 5.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 57 | 5.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 22 | 2.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 31 | 3.2% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 19 | 1.9% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 20 | 2.0% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 11 | 1.1% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 11 | 1.1% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.7% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 7 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Explorer problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Ford Explorer 2006–2010
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Throttle and speed control67 reportsmedian 36,000middle half 8,000–73,000
- Engine and its cooling system182 reportsmedian 46,000middle half 37,000–68,000
- Electrical system116 reportsmedian 63,000middle half 40,000–101,000
- Transmission and driveline420 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 40,000–94,000
- Seats85 reportsmedian 66,000middle half 12,000–93,000
- Engine125 reportsmedian 82,000middle half 63,000–110,000
- Problems owners could not categorise50 reportsmedian 108,000middle half 80,000–158,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 420 | 37.0% | 65,000 | 40,000–94,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 182 | 16.0% | 46,000 | 37,000–68,000 |
| Engine | 125 | 11.0% | 82,000 | 63,000–110,000 |
| Electrical system | 116 | 10.2% | 63,000 | 40,000–101,000 |
| Seats | 85 | 7.5% | 66,000 | 12,000–93,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 67 | 5.9% | 36,000 | 8,000–73,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 50 | 4.4% | 108,000 | 80,000–158,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 40 | 3.5% | 40,000 | 15,000–69,000 |
| Steering | 37 | 3.3% | 82,000 | 42,000–105,000 |
| Brakes | 34 | 3.0% | 98,000 | 73,000–130,000 |
Known problems with the 2006–2010 Explorer
Engine 2006–2010
4.6L 3-valve Modular V8 variable cam timing (VCT) phaser rattle and cam-phaser-related ticking; also difficult-to-remove two-piece spark plugs that can seize and break in the head.
Engine 2006–2010
4.0L SOHC V6 timing chain cassette failure (same rear-cassette design as prior generations).
Transmission 2006–2010
5R55S solenoid pack and servo bore wear continuing from the third generation.
Before you buy a 2006–2010 Explorer: the 3-minute check
Generated from 980 mileage-tagged complaints, 4 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2006–2010 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check transmission on 2006–2010 cars.
- Years differ here: from 33 to 630 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Explorer problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi47% below | At 90k mi75% below | At 120k mi88% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 40,000–94,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 37,000–68,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 63,000–110,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 40,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Seats | 12,000–93,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 8,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 80,000–158,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
Figure 3 · Ford Explorer 2006–2010 · 980 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 47% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2006–2010 Ford Explorer recalls (4)
NHTSA records 4 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
Apr 2010 · 2010 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, Explorer, Explorer sport trac, and Mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between december 15, 2009 through february 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 30, 2010. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Sep 2007 · 2008 · Power TrainIf leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6L engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly. As a result, the bolt may…
What can happen. If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Apr 2007 · 2007 · SteeringThis condition could cause "clunking" noise when steering as well as decreased steering effectiveness…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the two bolts that attach the steering gear assembly to the frame may have been over-tightened. This condition could result in one or both of the bolts fracturing, causing the steering gear to become loose.
What can happen. This condition could cause "clunking" noise when steering as well as decreased steering effectiveness potentially resulting in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace both the steering gear assembly mounting bolts and nuts free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 2005 · 2006 · VisibilityAfter a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause…
The defect. On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
What can happen. After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function.…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,134 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 43 (3.8%)
- Fires
- 15
- Injury reports
- 24
- Fatality reports
- 3
Explorer problems by model year
The 2006 drew the most complaints of this generation, 630, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2009 the fewest, 33. A typical year drew about 148.
That makes the 2006 stand out at roughly 4.3 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 630 | 546 | 55,000 | Transmission and driveline (296) | 1 |
| 2007 | 208 | 184 | 67,000 | Transmission and driveline (57) | 1 |
| 2008 | 148 | 129 | 77,000 | Electrical system (38) | 1 |
| 2009 | 33 | 26 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (5) | 0 |
| 2010 | 115 | 95 | 41,000 | Transmission and driveline (28) | 1 |
What Explorer owners reported
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park, and the vehicle rolled backwards about an inch. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake was enabled to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was…
2008 · 165,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was approximately 150,000. Most recently, the contact downloaded the Ford App, and when the maintenance history was…
2010 · 243,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the anti-theft, roll stability, and fuel filler messages were displayed with an audible alarm before the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. However, the…
2010 · 48,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact parked the vehicle and allowed the vehicle to set for a while. The vehicle was started. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven 100…
2006 · 150,000 miles · Engine
Built from 980 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Explorer generations
- Explorer 1991–1994 175 reports with mileage, most about the tyres
- Explorer 1995–2001 1,534 reports with mileage, most about the tyres
- Explorer 2002–2005 4,953 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Explorer 2011–2019 7,911 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Explorer 2020–2025 622 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline